industry | news www.take-off.ru take-off june 2011 5
Andrey Fomin industry | news Mi-26T2 trials Flight tests of the first upgraded Mil Mi-26T2 heavylift helicopter continue at Rostvertol JSC’s flight test facility in Rostov-on-Don. The machine is a derivative of the production Mi-26T, from which it differs in having an up-to-date digital avionics suite allowing effective roundthe-clock operation and a <strong>flying</strong> crew reduction down to <strong>two</strong>. In addition, provision has been made for use of upgraded D-136-2 (AI-136T) turboshaft engines featuring enhanced power under hot-and-high conditions. The Mi-26T2’s advanced avionics suite is wrapped around the NPK-90-2 flight/navigation system comprising an electronic display system of five multifunction liquid- 6 crystal displays (MFD), control panels, integral digital computer, NAVSTAR/GLONASS-capable satellite navigation systems and a digital flight suite. Optional gear includes night-vision goggles (NVG). To keep an eye on the externally slung cargo in daytime, there is an integral TV device Mi-34C1 snags first orders The key current light helicopter programme being pursued by the Russian Helicopters holding company is the resumed production of the heavily upgraded Mil Mi-34C1 by the Progress aircraft company in the town of Arsenyev. New helicopter features the advanced M9FV piston engine, an up-to-date avionics suite and a number of design and systems improvements aimed at enhancing the operating efficiency and reliability as well as extending the service life of the aircraft. This, coupled with a reasonable price, is going to help the Mi-34C1 to get a good niche on the market. Russian Helicopters Mi-34C1 programme manager Dmitry Rodin told Take-off that Mil Helicopter Plant now completing <strong>two</strong> Mi-34C1 <strong>prototypes</strong>. One of them, the OP-1, is slated for the maiden flight in June to be followed by the other, the OP-2. Both Mi-34C1 <strong>prototypes</strong> will be displayed during the MAKS 2011 air show in August, one to be demonstrated as part of the flight programme and the other as a static display. The Mi-34C1 is to complete its certification programme by year-end. On 19 May, during the HeliRussia 2011, the Russian Helicopters holding company landed its first order for the advanced machine after feeding full-colour imagery on to the multifunction display in the cockpit. At night, visual control of the cargo can be exercised by means of the extra TSl-1600 searchlight installed in the fuselage nose section. In addition to the standard mode, the searchlight has the infrared mode for use of NVGs. The Mi-26T2 helicopter hauls outsized cargo and vehicles weighing a total of 20 t both inside the cargo cabin and on the external sling. The troop carrier variant carries 82 troops, with its casevac version airlifting up to 60 casualties or sick personnel. The machine can be used for civil and erection works of various degrees of complexity, fire-suppression <strong>operations</strong> and fuel delivery, including self-contained refuelling of vehicles on the ground, and other <strong>operations</strong>. the launch customer UTair had placed an order for ten Mi-34C1 helicopters for its training centre. The deliveries are slated to kick off in 2012. In addition, the show saw an agreement signed by the French company Aero Progress, the latter intent on promoting the Mi-34C1 The Mi-26T2 upgrade is a contender in the tender issued by the Indian Defence Ministry for 15 heavylift helicopters. A Mi-26T performed a successful series of demonstration flights in India, including some of them in mountainous terrain, and Indian pilots have tested a Mi-26T2 prototype in Rostov-on-Don recently. The potential customer has not spared praise for the aircraft, and experts rate the Mi-26T2’s chances for coming up on top in the Indian tender high enough. The Russian Defence Ministry is eying the Mi-26T2 too. Following a long lull, it has resumed acquisition of a new Mi-26 batch recently. The first new helicopter for the Russian Air Force was rolled out to Rostvertol’s airfield and kicked off its flight test programme in May this year. The Russian military is expected to order the upgraded Mi-26T2 in the future. on the European market. The signatories believe the helicopter can be needed in the West, since it features a number of advantages over the popular Eurocopter EC120. The first <strong>two</strong> Mi-34C1s are planned for delivery to the French company in 2013. take-off june 2011 www.take-off.ru Rostvertol PLC Andrey Fomin
Change language